Abstract

Portugal
has the third highest seafood consumption per capita in the world and
current patterns of seafood consumption are linked to how seafood
products were embodied in the Portuguese society. The objective of this
research is to understand Portuguese seafood consumption's main drivers
and its consequences. For that official statistics were analyzed and a
literature review on seafood consumption was undertaken. Portuguese
seafood consumption is characterized by a wide diversity of species and
preparing modes, when compared to other countries in Europe. Cod (salted
and dried), does not exist in Portuguese waters but due to several
factors, such as politics, religion and tradition, became the main
species in Portuguese seafood consumption, representing around 38% of
the national seafood demand. Five drivers are suggested to explain why
Portuguese eat so much seafood: geography, marine resources, fisheries,
social forces and politics; and consequences for the environment,
economy and health are discussed. Hence while most dietary
recommendations advise an increase in fish consumption is not applicable
to Portugal and a more sustainable seafood consumption for the future
is advocated.

Highlights

Intake of trans-anethole from fennel-containing PFS was lower than ADI value.

•

Intakes of beneficial compounds from PFS were low compared with dietary intake.

•

First intake estimates of p-coumaric and rosmarinic acids are presented.

Abstract

The
purpose of this study was to estimate the intake of selected bioactive
compounds from fennel-containing plant food supplements (PFS) among
Finnish consumers. The estimated average intake of estragole was
0.20 mg/d, of trans-anethole 1.15 mg/d, of rosmarinic acid 0.09 mg/d, of
p-coumaric acid 0.0068 mg/d, of kaempferol 0.0034 mg/d, of luteolin
0.0525 μg/d, of quercetin 0.0246 mg/d, of matairesinol 0.0066 μg/d and
of lignans 0.0412 μg/d. The intakes of kaempferol, quercetin, luteolin,
matairesinol and lignans from PFS were low in comparison with their
dietary supply. The intake of estragole was usually moderate, but a
heavy consumption of PFS may lead to a high intake of estragole. The
intake of trans-anethole did not exceed the acceptable daily intake, but
PFS should be taken into account when assessing the total exposure. To
our knowledge, this study provided the first intake estimates of
trans-anethole, p-coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid in human
populations.

Keywords

Dietary supplements;

Plants;

Botanicals;

Fennel;

Bioactive compounds;

Survey

1. Introduction

Food
supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances
with a nutritional or physiological effect, the purpose of which is to
supplement the normal diet. They are marketed in dose form, for instance
as pills, tablets, capsules and liquids in measured doses. Plant food
supplements (PFS) contain one or more botanical ingredients. They have a
long tradition of use, and are widely consumed in many European
countries. However, comparable data on the consumption of PFS on the
European level are scarce, and little is known about the risks and
benefits associated with their consumption. The PlantLIBRA project aims
to develop, validate and disseminate data and methodologies for the risk
and benefit assessment of PFS, and to implement sustainable
international cooperation related to PFS (PlantLIBRA, 2010).

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
is a perennial aromatic herb. In pharmacopoeias and well established
documents fennel has been described as being used in the symptomatic
treatment of dyspepsia ( Weiss, 1991), as an expectorant for mild inflammation of the upper respiratory tract ( Weiss, 1991) and in the treatment of dysmenorrhea and pain in scrotal hernia ( Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, 2000). In traditional medicine, fennel is used in the treatment of many types of symptoms ( Hare, Caspari, & Rusby, 1916).

The
objectives of the present article are as follows: to describe the
consumption of PFS containing fennel among a subsample of Finnish PFS
consumers from the PlantLIBRA PFS Consumer Survey; to present the
consumer reasons for PFS usage, perception of the usefulness of the
products and the adverse effects experienced after usage; to describe
the socio-demographic and lifestyle-related characteristics of the
consumers; and to estimate the intake of selected bioactive compounds,
including estragole and trans-anethole, from the fennel-containing PFS
consumed by these Finnish consumers. To our knowledge, this article
presents the first intake estimates of some of the bioactive compounds –
namely trans-anethole, p-coumaric acid and rosmarinic acid – in human
populations.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. PlantLIBRA PFS consumer survey

A
cross-sectional 12-month retrospective PFS consumption survey was
conducted in Finland and five other European countries. Before
initiating the fieldwork, an ethical statement was obtained from the
Coordinating Ethics Committee, Hospital District of Helsinki and
Uusimaa, Finland. The details of the PlantLIBRA PFS Consumer Survey and
its data collection procedures have been described elsewhere (Garcia-Alvarez et al., 2014).
In this survey, the sample size in Finland was 401 PFS consumers. They
came from four cities located in different parts of the country;
Helsinki, Turku, Kuopio and Oulu. The gender and age group quotas were
set as follows: 75% adults (18–59 years) and 25% elderly adults
(60 years and over) with 50% males and 50% females.

The
survey participants were regular PFS consumers, who were identified
using a short screening questionnaire. The respondents were considered
eligible for inclusion if they met either of the following specified
criteria (Garcia-Alvarez et al., 2014):

(1)

They had taken at least 1 PFS in the previous 12 months, in an appropriate dose form at a minimum frequency of:

(a)

1 daily dose for at least 2 consecutive or non-consecutive weeks, or

(b)

1 or more doses per week for at least 3 consecutive weeks, or

(c)

1 or more doses per week for at least 4 consecutive or non-consecutive weeks;

(2)

They
had taken 2 or more different PFS, in an appropriate dose form, at a
minimum frequency of 1 or more doses per week, with the sum of the usage
period for the 2 or more products being equal to at least 4 weeks.

Eligible
consumers subsequently completed a more detailed questionnaire on their
PFS usage habits in the preceding 12 months, providing details of plant
and product names, dose forms, the frequency of use, reasons for use,
adverse effects, places and patterns of purchase and information sources
on products. These questions were asked for each of up to a maximum of
five different PFS used. In addition, respondents were asked to provide
socio-demographic data, including age, gender, the level of education
and employment status, self-reported height and weight, and
health-related lifestyle information.

Fieldwork
and data collection for the PlantLIBRA cross-sectional survey were
conducted by an international market research company, European
Fieldwork Group, from May 2011 to September 2012. The duration of the
fieldwork ensured that any seasonal variability in the usage of products
was captured.

All data from
the completed surveys were entered into the statistical package SPSS for
Windows version 18 (IBM Corporation, Somers, NY, USA), which was also
used for data analysis.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Obesity
is a worldwide medical concern. New ethnobotanical information
regarding the antiobesity effect of medicinal plants has been obtained
in the last 30 years in response to socio-demographic changes and
high-fat diets became common.

Aim of the study

This
review provides a summary of medicinal plants used in Mexico, Central
America and the Caribbean for the empirical treatment of obesity in
terms of ethnobotany, toxicity, pharmacology, conservation status, trade
and chemistry.

Materials and methods

Bibliographic
investigation was performed by analyzing recognized books,
undergraduate and postgraduate theses and peer-reviewed scientific
articles, consulting worldwide accepted scientific databases from the
last four decades. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of obesity
were classified in two categories: (1) plants with pharmacological
evidence and (2) plants without pharmacological evidence.

Results

A
total of 139 plant species, belonging to 61 families, native to Mexico,
Central America and the Caribbean that are used for the empirical
treatment of obesity were recorded. From these plants, 33 were
investigated in scientific studies, and 106 plants lacked scientific
investigation. Medicinal plants were experimentally studied in vitro (21 plants) and in vivo
(16 plants). A total of 4 compounds isolated from medicinal plants used
for the empirical treatment of obesity have been tested in vitro (2 compounds) and in vivo (4 compounds) studies. No clinical trials on obese subjects (BMI>30 kg/m2)
have been performed using the medicinal plants cited in this review.
There are no herbal-based products approved in Mexico for the treatment
of obesity.

Conclusions

There
are a limited number of scientific studies published on medicinal plants
from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean used for the treatment
of obesity. This review highlights the need to perform pharmacological,
phytochemical, toxicological and ethnobotanical studies with medicinal
flora to obtain new antiobesity agents.

Abstract

This article discusses the features of Apis mellifera mellifera associated with the expansion of their habitat to the north. The A. m. mellifera
isolated in Kama Urals is considered the Prikamsky honeybee population
and has retained the features of a pure gene pool. Here, we analysed the
biological and physiological features of bees native to Kama Urals and
the crossbreeding that occurs among these bee species.

Keywords

Honey bees;

Areal;

Prikamsky population;

Crossbreeding

Introduction

Before the anthropogenic period, a Euro-Siberian sub-species of the honeybee, the Central Russian dark hylile bee (Apis mellifera mellifera L.), spread naturally over a large area from southern France to Siberia, reaching as far north as 60°N latitude ( Ruttner et al, 1990).
This area expanded as the species moved north due to complex
ethological and physiological adaptations to the cold climate zone ( Eskov, 1995).

The
Cis-Ural region is the territory located on the western slope of the
Ural Mountains on the outskirts of the East European Plain. The
territory lies in the basins of the Kama and Pechora Rivers and includes
the Pechora lowlands to the north and the Verkhnekamskaya
Bugulma-Belebey upland to the south. In the Cis-Ural region in Kama
basin, the Kama Cis-Ural territory predominates. The northern region of
the Kama Cis-Ural territory is a typical middle taiga consisting of
spruce-fir forests, pine forests and peat bogs. The central region of
the territory is southern taiga that includes spruce-fir forests with an
admixture of linden. In the southern region of the territory, there is a
subzone of mixed forests. The southeast is occupied with Kungursky
forest steppe with typical degraded chernozems. Northeast of the Kama
Cis-Ural territory is a dark coniferous mountain taiga with bald peaks
standing high above the taiga (Grigoriev, 1962).

Central Russian bees (A. m. mellifera)
have been historically developed in natural biological communities on
the Kama Cis-Ural territory. This finding was recorded by Mikhailov (1927) and Alpatov (1948).
According to studies conducted by researchers in the Zoology Department
of Perm Pedagogical University, Central Russian bees overwhelmingly
dominated the Perm Territory previously. However, from the 1950s
onwards, agricultural workers have been importing the queens and bee
packages of southern races that were not adapted to the harsh conditions
of the north area. The importation of these southern bees with the
purpose of increasing productivity resulted if the emergence of hybrids
of unknown origin. By the 1980s, cross-breeding of bees had reached 40%
in some apiaries causing increased morbidity and the withdrawal of bee
colonies in the winter. This process was aggravated by the mite Varroa
destructor affect. To a lesser extent, the cross-breeding of bees
influenced the Uinsky and Krasnovishersky areas, which had been declared
as pure breeding areas of the Central Russian bees. The recruitment of
honeybee populations in natural conditions (wild hive, hollows of trees,
rocks, and other shelters) is performed because the bees disperse
during swarming. In the late 20th century, a negative impact on the gene
pool of the Central Russian bees caused by the introduced bees was
observed. The conservation of the gene pool of Central Russian bees and
the preservation of the indigenous forms of local Central Russian bee
populations have been discussed in many publications ( Grankin, 1998 and Kryvtsov, 2008).

Materials and Methods

Studies
performed by Perm researchers on bee colonies (1990–2000 Gg.) in the
Kama Cis-Ural territory distinguished a population of honey bees of the
Central Russian race that had the features of a pure gene pool based on
physiological, morphological (Petukhov, 1996 and Shurakov et al., 1999) and genetic (Ilyasov et al, 2006)
indicators. These bees are named “Prikamsky” after the territory where
they were detected. The Prikamskaya population formed naturally in the
northern area and has a particular value today, as it is the natural
reserve of the pure gene pool of Central Russian bees. Currently, in the
Kama Cis-Ural territory, two groups of native bees of the Central
Russian Prikamskaya population have been identified. They are separated
from each other by a distance of 300 km. The Uinskaya group exists in
the southeast of the Perm region, and the Visherskaya group exists in
the north of the Perm region, which is the northern boundary of the
honeybee, (Petukhov, 1996 and Ilyasov et al., 2006) (Fig. 1).

I see the deer in the garden more often now. A few days ago the group of deer paused so I could get a look at them and there was a large one which is probably the one I saw several days ago which was assumed to be a cougar. They can apparently see me inside at dawn even though I only have a lamp and the computer light.

https://www.qdma.com/corporate/what-do-deer-see

The Study
In August 1992, a group of leading deer researchers and vision
scientists gathered at The University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens to
conduct this landmark study. The group of researchers included Drs. R.
Larry Marchinton and Karl V. Miller, and myself from UGA, Dr. Gerald H.
Jacobs and Jess Degan from the University of California, and Dr. Jay
Neitz from the Medical College of Wisconsin. This study was made
possible due to a highly sophisticated computer system developed by Dr.
Jacobs. This system is based on the principle that an electrical
response is produced when light enters the eye. The computer interprets
these responses and translates them into a “scientific best guess” of
what deer can actually see.
Findings of the Study
The results of our study confirmed that deer possess two (rather than
three as in humans) types of cones allowing limited color vision (Figure
1). The cone that deer lack is the “red” cone, or the one sensitive to
long wavelength colors such as red and orange. This suggests that
wearing bright colors while hunting does not affect hunting success.
This does not mean that these colors are invisible to deer, but rather
that they are perceived differently.
Deer are essentially red-green color blind like some humans. Their
color vision is limited to the short (blue) and middle (green)
wavelength colors. As a result, deer likely can distinguish blue from
red, but not green from red, or orange from red. Therefore, it appears
that hunters would be equally suited wearing green, red, or orange
clothing but perhaps slightly disadvantaged wearing blue.
The results regarding the UV capabilities of deer were equally
fascinating. Our results confirmed that deer lack a UV filter in their
eye and that their vision in the shorter wavelengths was much better
than ours. Deer also were found to have a relatively high sensitivity
(good vision) in the short wavelengths where UV brighteners and dyes are
active.
While not entirely conclusive, this finding suggests that deer are
capable of seeing some UV light and that fabrics containing UV dyes and
brighteners may be more visible to deer than to humans.

Abstract

Cider,
although the term ‘ciders’ is more suitable to represent the diversity
of this product, is a fermented beverage produced and consumed
worldwide. In this article, its historical and geographical origins, as
well as definition from a regulatory point of view, are presented.
Cidermaking is then discussed by describing two main processes (in
France and the UK) that are radically different, although both lead to
products named ciders. The importance of microorganisms and their
metabolism during production in terms of quality or spoilage is
reviewed. Finally, product composition and potential impacts on health
are presented.

Keywords

Alcoholic fermentation;

Apple juice;

Bacteria;

Cider;

Cidermaking;

Fermentation;

Fermented beverage;

Hard cider;

Health impact;

Malolactic fermentation;

Organoleptic qualities;

Spoilage;

Yeast

Definition and Origin

Cider
is generally defined as an alcoholic beverage obtained by apple juice
(apple must) fermentation. Noteworthy, in North America, the term
‘cider’ is rather associated with a cloudy unfermented and unpasteurized
apple juice, whereas the fermented product is called ‘hard cider.’ In
Europe, the fermented product is mainly named ‘cider’ in the UK, ‘cidre’
in France, ‘sidra’ in Spain, and ‘apfelwein’ in Germany. Another common
fruit fermentation is obtained from pears and leads to a product named
‘perry’ in English or ‘poiré’ in French. It is worth mentioning that
cider can either be a final product ready for consumption or an
intermediate product used for apple brandy (e.g., ‘Calvados’ in Normandy
and ‘Lambig’ in Brittany) production by distillation or cider vinegar
via an acetic fermentation. Moreover, Calvados blended with apple must
leads to an aperitif-type beverage (i.e., predinner drink) named
‘Pommeau’ in France.

Like the
other major fermented beverages (i.e., wine and beer), cider is one of
the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world; Hebrews called it ‘sichar,’
whereas Romans and Greeks called it ‘sicera’ and ‘sikera,’
respectively. From an etymological point of view, the name cider
would come from ‘sicera’ (meaning any fermented beverage that is not
wine; Cambridge Psalter); this can especially be observed in Normandy,
as ‘cidre’ was originally spelled ‘sidre.’ Although the name cider
was not used at the time, during antiquity, a certain number of
writings by Pliny the Elder or Palladius refer to alcoholic beverages
obtained from apples or pears. During the ninth century, the term
‘sicetores,’ referring to brewers producing ale but also ‘pomacium’ from
apples, was used by Charlemagne. In France, the first use of the word
‘cidre’ was found in the Conception de Nostre-Dame (Wace, twelfth
century). From this time, and thanks to the invention of the press
(thirteenth century), cider production extended to various
apple-producing European regions. From the fourteenth to twentieth
centuries, technological practices and processes were optimized and led
to higher volumes and better-quality products. Nowadays, cider
production, although far more limited than wine and beer, can be found
on every continent in apple-growing regions worldwide. In Europe, the UK
(mainly West Country, West Midlands but also Wales), France (mainly
Normandy and Brittany), Spain (mainly Asturias and Basque country), and
Germany are the main cider-producing countries, although many others
have local productions (e.g., Ireland, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Norway).
In North America, hard cider production is done in the United States,
Canada, and even Mexico. Interestingly, in Quebec, a new cider type
named ‘ice cider’ (equivalent to icewine in enology and thus using
apples with high sugar contents due to natural frost) has recently
appeared. In South America, cider is produced in Argentina and Chile.
Cider production is also found in Asia (China and Japan), Africa (South
Africa), Australia (Tasmania), and New-Zealand.

Romantic Medicine and John Keats

Hermione de Almeida

Using original research in scientific treatises, philosophical
manuscripts, and political documents, this pioneering study describes
the neglected era of revolutionary medicine in Europe through the
writings of the English poet and physician, John Keats. De Almeida
explores the four primary concerns of Romantic medicine--the physician's
task, the meaning of life, the prescription of disease and health, and
the evolution of matter and mind--and reveals their expression in
Keats's poetry and thought. By delineating a distinct but unknown era in
the history of medicine, charting the poet's milieu within this age,
and providing close reading of his poems in these contexts, Romantic Medicine and John Keats illustrates the interdisciplinary bonds between the two healing
arts of the Romantic period: medicine and poetry.

Last week, Senator McCarthy
appeared on this program to correct any errors he might have thought we made in
our report of March 9th. Since he made no reference to any statements of fact
that we made, we must conclude that he found no errors of fact. He proved again
that anyone who exposes him, anyone who does not share his hysterical
disregard for decency
and human dignity and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, must be either a
Communist or a fellow traveler.

I fully expected this treatment.
The Senator added this reporter's name to a long list of individuals and
institutions he has accused of serving the Communist cause. His proposition is
very simple: Anyone who criticizes or opposes McCarthy's methods must be a
Communist. And if that be true, there are an awful lot of Communists in this
country.

For the record, let's consider briefly some of the Senator's charges. He
claimed, but offered no proof, that I had been a member of the
Industrial Workers of the World. That is false.
I was never a member of the IWW, never applied for membership. Men that I worked
with in the Pacific Northwest in western Washington in logging camps will attest
that I never had any affiliation or affinity with that organization.

The Senator charged that
Professor Harold Laski, a British scholar and
politician, dedicated the book to me. That's true. He is dead. He was a
socialist -- I am not. He was one of those civilized individuals who did not
insist upon agreement with his political principles as a pre-condition for
conversation or friendship. I do not agree with his political ideas. Laski, as
he makes clear in the introduction, dedicated the book to me not because of
political agreement but because he held my wartime broadcast from London in high
regard -- and the dedication so reads.

Senator McCarthy's principal
attack on me was an attack on the
Institute of International Education, of which
I was Assistant Director and am now a trustee, together with such people as
John Foster Dulles,
Milton Eisenhower, Ralph J. Dunce [phonetic],
Virginia Gildersleeve, Philip Reed, to name
just a few. That Institute sponsored, acted as the registering agent for summer
schools in foreign countries, including England, France, and Germany, and one in
the Soviet Union in 1934. It has arranged in all some 30,000 exchanges of
students and professors between the United States and over 50 foreign countries.

The man primarily responsible for
starting this Institute was
Nicholas Murray Butler in 1919. Its work has
been praised as recently as 1948 by President Eisenhower. It has been denounced
by the Soviet Press and radio as a center of international propaganda for
American reaction, and I have been labeled by them as a "reactionary radio
commentator."

The Senator alleged that we were
doing the work of the Russian Secret Police, training spies. We were in fact
conducting normal cultural and educational relations with foreign nations. The
Moscow summer session was cancelled in 1935 by the Russian authorities.

I believed 20 years ago and I
believe today that mature Americans can engage in conversation and controversy,
the clash of ideas, with Communists anywhere in the world without becoming contaminated or
converted. I believe that our faith, our conviction, our determination are
stronger than theirs, and that we can compete and successfully, not only in the area
of bombs but in the area of ideas.

Senator McCarthy couldn't even get
my relationship with CBS straight. He repeatedly referred to me as the
Educational Director, a position I have not held for 17 years.

The Senator waved a copy of the Daily Worker, saying an article in it has praised me. Here is an
example for what Senator McCarthy calls "praise" by
William Z. Foster in the March 17 issue of The Daily Worker. Quote:
"During the past 10 days, Senator McCarthy has received a number of resounding
belts in the jaw. These came from Adlai Stevenson, E.R. Murrow,
Senator Flanders, the Army leadership, broadcasting companies; even
Eisenhower himself had to give McCarthy a slap on the wrist." That was the sole
reference to me in Mr. Foster's article.

Another charge by Senator McCarthy
was that Owen Lattimore mentioned me in a book. What
Lattimore said in substance was that he had never met me, but that I had done a
fair job of reporting his testimony; in short, that I had not presumed his
guilt. Everything I said on that case is a matter of record and can be examined
by anyone who is interested.

I hope to continue to present
evidence developed before Congressional committees as impartially as I am able.
And that specifically includes the hearings before which Senator McCarthy is
shortly scheduled to appear.

I have worked for CBS for more than 19 years. The company has subscribed fully to my integrity and
responsibility as a broadcaster and as a loyal American. I require no lectures
from the junior Senator from Wisconsin as to the dangers or terrors of Communism.
Having watched the aggressive forces at work in Western Europe, having had
friends in Eastern Europe butchered and driven into exile, having
broadcast from
London in 1943 that the Russians were responsible for the
Katyn massacre, having told the story of the Russian refusal to let
allied aircraft to land on Russian fields after dropping supplies to those who
rose in Warsaw and then were betrayed by the Russians, and having been denounced
by the Russian radio for these reports, I cannot feel that I require instruction
from the Senator on the evils of Communism.

Having searched my conscience and my
files, I cannot contend that I have always been right or wise. But I have
attempted to pursue the truth with some diligence and to report it, even though, as
in this case, I had been warned in advance that I would be subjected to the
attentions of Senator McCarthy.

We shall hope to deal with matters
of more -- more vital interest for the country next week.

Characteristics associated with sexual assaults at mass gatherings.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Sexual
assault is disturbingly common, yet little is known about those
occurring at mass gatherings, defined as a group of people congregated
for a common purpose. Our objectives were to examine patterns of
variation in sexual assault associated with mass gatherings and to
determine factors associated with assaults occurring at mass gatherings.

METHODS:

We
performed a case series analysis from January to December, 2013. We
included all patients >16 years presenting within 30 days of their
sexual assault to the Ottawa Hospital Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse
Care Program (SAPACP). Cases were stratified by whether or not they
occurred at mass gatherings. We abstracted from the SAPACP records:
patient and sexual assault characteristics, alcohol or drug consumption
and medical and forensic care accepted. We performed descriptive
analyses and multiple logistical regression to identify factors
associated with mass gathering assaults.

RESULTS:

We
found 204 cases of sexual assault, of which 53 (26%) occurred at mass
gatherings. Relative frequencies of mass gathering sexual assaults
peaked during New Year's Eve, Canada Day, university frosh week and Halloween.
We found the following factors were statistically significantly
associated with sexual assault at mass gatherings: younger age (OR=0.95,
95% CI 0.91 to 0.99); voluntary consumption of drugs and alcohol (3.88,
95% CI 1.34 to 11.23); assault occurring on a holiday (2.37, 95% CI
1.00 to 5.64) and the assailant unknown to the victim (2.43, 95% CI 1.15
to 5).

INTERPRETATION:

This
study is the first to describe patterns of variation in sexual assault
incidents associated with occurrence of mass gatherings as well as
factors associated with such assaults. We will disseminate these results
to key stakeholders in order to develop prevention-minded policies for
future mass gatherings.
Published by the BMJ
Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already
granted under a licence) please go to
http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Field
investigations highlighted the use of Psidium acutangulum Mart. ex DC
(syn. P. persoonii McVaugh), a small tree used by the Wayana Amerindians
in Twenke-Taluhwen and Antecume-Pata, French Guiana, for the treatment
of malaria, and administered either orally in the form of a decoction or
applied externally over the whole body. This use appears limited to the
Wayana cultural group in French Guiana and has never been reported
anywhere else. Our goal was to evaluate the antimalarial and
anti-inflammatory activities of a P. acutangulum decoction to explain
the good reputation of this remedy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Interviews
with the Wayana inhabitants of Twenke-Taluhwen and Antecume-Pata were
conducted within the TRAMAZ project according to the TRAMIL
methodology, which is based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis
of medicinal plant uses. A decoction of dried aerial parts of P.
acutangulum was prepared in consistency with the Wayana recipe. In vitro
antiplasmodial assays were performed on chloroquine-resistant FcB1
([(3)H]-hypoxanthine bioassay) and 7G8 (pLDH bioassay) P. falciparum
strains and on chloroquine sensitive NF54 ([(3)H]-hypoxanthine bioassay)
P. falciparum strain. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity (IL-1β, IL-6,
IL-8, TNFα) was evaluated on LPS-stimulated human PBMC and NO secretion
inhibition was measured on LPS stimulated RAW murine macrophages.
Cytotoxicity of the decoction was measured on L6 mammalian cells, PBMCs,
and RAW cells. A preliminary evaluation of the in vivo antimalarial
activity of the decoction, administered orally twice daily, was assessed
by the classical four-day suppressive test against P. berghei NK65 in
mice.

RESULTS:

The
decoction displayed a good antiplasmodial activity in vitro against the
three tested strains, regardless to the bioassay used, with IC50 values
of 3.3µg/mL and 10.3µg/mL against P. falciparum FcB1 and NF54,
respectively and 19.0µg/mL against P. falciparum 7G8. It also exhibited
significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro in a dose dependent
manner. At a concentration of 50µg/mL, the decoction inhibited the
secretion of the following pro-inflammatory cytokines: TNFα (-18%),
IL-1β (-58%), IL-6 (-32%), IL-8 (-21%). It also exhibited a mild NO
secretion inhibition (-13%) at the same concentration. The decoction was
non-cytotoxic against L6 cells (IC50>100µg/mL), RAW cells and PBMC.
In vivo, 150µL of the decoction given orally twice a day (equivalent to
350mg/kg/day of dried extract) inhibited 39.7% average parasite growth,
with more than 50% of inhibition in three mice over five. The absence of
response for the two remaining mice, however, induced a strong standard
deviation.

Joyce Ehrlinger
Cornell University, Social Psychology, PhD 2004

Awarded for: Poster Presentation on Explaining the failure to anticipate unanticipated consequences: Do we anchor too much upon intentions? at the 2004 Society for Personality and Social Psychology meeting.

Jules Gehrke
University of Minnesota, History, PhD 2006

Awarded for: Dissertation research at New York City’s Public Library and Columbia’s Butler Library archives.

The Application Process

Applications for the IHS Conference & Research Grant are accepted on a rolling basis, and must be submittedonline at least 4 weeks before
your activity. Applications should be submitted through your existing
IHS account. You may save your application and return later to submit
it. (If you have previously participated in an IHS academic program or
discussed your academic career with a member of IHS staff, please apply
through the Hayek Fund for Scholars.)Your completed Conference & Research Grant application must include the following items:

A completed online application form

Your CV or resume

An itemized list of expenses

For those seeking the scholarship for career development you will also need:

A summary of your presentation, such
as an abstract or copy of the paper you intend to present at a
conference, a description of arranged interviews, or a description of
your planned research (e.g., a dissertation proposal)

A brief essay, no more than 500 words, describing how your proposed activity will advance your career

A brief essay, no more than 500
words, describing how your proposed activity advances our understanding
of the principles, practices, and institutions necessary for a free
society or our understanding of the classical liberal or libertarian
tradition

Applications for the IHS Conference & Research Grant are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision within four weeks of submission. You
must submit your application at least four weeks before your fundable
activity, or it may not be reviewed in time for the fundable activity.
Awards are only granted for future activities, and are not awarded
retroactively. Awards are disbursed after the awardee presents original
receipts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are international students eligible for funding from the IHS Conference & Research Grant?
PhD students currently enrolled in graduate school are eligible for
awards from the IHS Conference & Research Grant regardless of their
nationality.Are students of any university eligible for the IHS Conference & Research Grant?
Yes. Students of any university may apply for this fund.How long does it take the committee to make a decision?
Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision within four
weeks of submitting an application. Note: you must submit your
application at least four weeks in advance of your fundable
activity. Awards are only granted for anticipated future activities, and
cannot be awarded retroactively.Can I apply even if I have participated in other IHS academic programs?
If you have already participated in one of our academic programs or
discussed your academic career with staff, you should apply through the Hayek Fund for Scholars. If you do not see the correct application, please contact us.I am attending an IHS summer seminar. Does this qualify for an IHS Conference & Research Grant?
Typically, no. The IHS Conference & Research Grant is not for
attendance at a conference alone, so our summer seminars typically do
not qualify.I presented a paper several weeks ago. May I apply for the Grant ex-post?
We do not give awards after an event. Remember, applications must be submitted at least fourweeks in advance of your fundable activity, otherwise it may not be reviewed in time. Awards are only granted for anticipated future activities.Is there a deadline to apply for the Grant?No. Applications are accepted
year-round on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply, but
applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the event. The majority of awards are made in the fall and spring.What kind of project is typically awarded a grant from the IHS Conference & Research Grant?
Successful projects vary greatly, from a paper presentation at the
American Political Science Association’s annual meeting to a job
interview in New Zealand. To be certain, however, all projects funded
are seen to further an understanding of the classical liberal tradition.Who may apply for the IHS Conference & Research Grant?
Current graduate students are eligible to apply.Are applications still accepted by mail, or email?
Applications are no longer accepted through the mail or email. Applicants must now register and apply using our online system.

Abstract

The
aim of this study was to investigate the protein, mineral and amino
acid content of some traditional dishes of the Far-North region of
Cameroon prepared from pumpkin. Samples were collected after a survey of
the cooking methods of the various dishes in 60 households that
accepted to take part in the study in Maroua city. Proximate contents
(moisture, ash and protein) were determined by standard Association of
Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. Mineral contents: calcium
(Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), iron (Fe), copper
(Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) were determined by atomic absorption
spectrophotometry, phosphorous (P) by colorimetry. Amino acids were
determined by ion-exchange chromatography. Results revealed that
proximate composition expressed in g/100 g wet weight basis ranged
between 70.4–84.8 (moisture), 0.3–1.3 (ash) and 2.2–5.1 (protein);
mineral contents expressed in mg/100 g dry weight ranged between
60.3–150.5 (Ca), 80.4–131.9 (Mg), 231.3–361.0 (P), 3.0–16.9 (Na),
1290.0–2753.0 (K), 4.3–8.5 (Fe), 0.7–2.0 (Zn), 0.2–0.3 (Cu), and 0.7–1.6
(Mn). Total amino acid contents ranged between 138.2–278.8 mg/g protein
for essential amino acids, and 455.8–500.6 mg/g protein for
non-essential amino acids. In general, when peanut and cowpea were added
to the preparation, the protein, mineral and amino acid contents were
significantly increased.

Keywords

Proximate composition;

Minerals;

Amino acids;

Traditional foods;

Pumpkin;

Cucurbita maxima;

Cameroon;

Food analysis;

Food composition

1. Introduction

According
to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),
the world production of pumpkins, squashes, and gourds in 2011 was
estimated at over 24.3 million tons harvested from 1.7 million ha (FAOSTAT, 2013). There are three common types of pumpkin worldwide: Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata ( Lee et al., 2003). Pumpkin (C. maxima) is an angiosperm that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a climbing herbaceous vine with tendrils ( Acquaah, 2004).
The fruits vary in size, color, shape and weight and have a moderately
hard rind, with a thick edible flesh, and numerous seeds in the fruit
which are either plump and tan, or soft and white ( Robinson and Decker-Walters, 1997 and Mohammed and Alfawaz, 2004).
This important horticultural commodity is not commercially cultivated
on a large scale in Cameroon. However, local populations grow it on the
roofs of their houses or in their kitchen gardens and use the matured
fruits as a vegetable. The leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds are
health-promoting food. Different parts of the plant have been used as
medicine in some developed countries ( Mukesh et al., 2010).

Several studies have reported the nutritive value of the pumpkin and its varieties from different regions. For example, Achu et al. (2005)
reported that cucurbit seeds, from different bioclimatic regions in
Cameroon, contained 28–40% protein, 44–53% fat and 7–10% carbohydrate
and could therefore be exploited as oil and protein sources. Younis et al. (2000) reported that the seed of Cucurbita pepo
is rich in oil, carbohydrates and α-tocopherol, while the four dominant
fatty acids present in the oil were palmitic 13.3%, stearic 8%, oleic
29% and linoleic 47%. The bright orange color indicates that pumpkin
flesh is high in β-carotene ( Mukesh et al., 2010), which is converted to vitamin A in the human body ( Weinstein et al., 2004). The body needs vitamin A for proper growth, healthy eyes and protection from diseases ( Semba, 2001). Pumpkin is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene and dietary fiber ( Pratt and Matthews, 2003). These facts suggest that the processing of pumpkin into various food products can be benefits in many ways. Pumpkin (C. maxima) pulp has been used to supplement cereal flours in bakery products ( Adriana and Simona, 2014).

In
Maroua, a city of the Far-North region of Cameroon, ripe pumpkin is
cooked as a vegetable, and many traditional dishes are also prepared
using pumpkin pulp. However, there is a lack of information about the
nutritional value of this fruit. In fact, knowledge of the nutritive
value of local dishes, soup ingredients and local foodstuffs is
necessary in order to encourage the increased cultivation and
consumption of those that are highly nutritive. The present work focused
on nutrients important to the diet of nutritionally vulnerable
populations and found in the dishes, namely proteins, minerals and amino
acids. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the protein,
mineral and amino acid content of some traditional dishes of the
Far-North region of Cameroon prepared using pumpkin.